For anyone feeling stifled by bustling life in the big city, enjoy Bwog’s guide to eating organically, getting back into nature, and living a bit more sustainably.

Clubs

  • Columbia Outdoors Club
    • True to its name, the Columbia Outdoors Club organizes all sorts of outdoor adventures throughout the school year. From autumn hikes outside of the city to winter ice skating excursions, it’s a great way to stay in touch with nature while living in NYC.
  • Whitewater Kayaking Team
    • The Whitewater Kayaking team is a club sport that takes weekend trips to rivers throughout the Northeast. They train in the Uris Pool in Dodge, and all gear is provided! This is another great opportunity to spend some time outside the city and reconnect with nature.
  • CU Road Runners
    • If you’re looking for an introduction to the running scene in New York and at Columbia, check out the CU Road Runners! They organize group runs and subsidized races for members, and they are open to beginners and competitive runners alike.
  • Columbia University Hiking Club
    • Yet another way to explore outside of the city, the Columbia University Hiking Club hosts day trips and multi-day hikes. They are open to experienced hikers and absolute beginners, and they travel all over the Northeast!
  • Columbia University Rock Climbing
    • The Columbia Rock Climbing club hosts both indoor and outdoor group climbs! Frequenting rock-climbing gyms near campus and going on day trips, this club is a great way to become a better climber or learn from scratch.

Restaurants

  • Seasoned Vegan
    • For organic and vegan versions of well-loved classics, check out Seasoned Vegan on Doordash, Uber Eats, and Postmates! They’re a local business based in Harlem. Our favorites are the baked mac and cheese and the chopped cheese.
  • Peacefood
    • With two locations in Manhattan, Peacefood is a good choice for anyone looking to get off campus and enjoy some tasty vegan baked goods. They offer online ordering and gluten-free options for both food and bakery items, and we highly recommend the red bean chili and cornbread!
  • Community Food and Juice
    • A prominent player in the Morningside Heights brunch scene, Community is a hip spot near campus with a menu focused on seasonal, local, and organic food. Outside of brunch hours, we definitely recommend their veggie burger and fries.

Shopping

  • Columbia Greenmarket
    • On Sundays and Thursdays year-round, GrowNYC hosts a market between 114th and 116th street on Broadway! The vendors rotate regularly and usually feature local produce, homemade baked goods, and more. There’s also a compost drop-off available on Sunday mornings!
  • Hubbub
    • For anyone looking to dorm-shop more sustainably, Hubbub is an online rental service created by Columbia students that allows you to rent dorm supplies for the school year. Instead of buying a bunch of stuff you’d rather throw away than transport home, like mini-fridges, dumbbells, and fans, you can rent and return them at the end of the year!

Image via Bwog Archives